U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta, a billionaire entertainment mogul, has been hosting foreign officials and dignitaries aboard his $450 million mega yacht, the Boardwalk, during a two-and-a-half-month "Coastal Diplomatic Tour." The 383-foot vessel, equipped with two helipads, multiple pools and hot tubs, a spa, a cinema, and a putting green, has become the venue for lavish receptions.
Fertitta, who is estimated to be the world's 312th-richest person, is funding the tour himself, which he anticipates will cost approximately $1 million. The voyage also coincides with celebrations for America's 250th anniversary. The Italian government is providing security for the yacht, a cost that has drawn criticism.
Protests and Scrutiny
The ambassador's extravagant use of his yacht has generated protests in Italy. In Venice, demonstrators gathered to voice their opposition, chanting slogans such as "No space for billionaires" and "Venice is not the United States." Angelo Bonelli, a national lawmaker and co-chair of the Greens and Left Alliance, has called on the Italian government to disclose the expenses incurred for police, helicopters, and boats providing security for Fertitta's vessel, estimating the cost to the Italian state could be as high as $4.6 million.
Fertitta, however, defends his approach, telling the Washington Post that his "cachet" and respect for Italian officials contribute to positive U.S.-Italian relations. "They like that [they're] important enough to us that you're going to come into our town, on your big boat, and pay respect to us and have us in your home," Fertitta said, referring to feedback he has received.
Diplomatic Style
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto commented that Fertitta's primary asset is his fondness for Italy and his deep connection to the country, noting his Sicilian heritage. Crosetto also highlighted Fertitta's strong relationship with former President Donald Trump, suggesting he is one of the few individuals who can engage Trump in extended conversations. Ignazio La Russa, president of Italy's Senate, reportedly considered attending a yacht party but ultimately declined to avoid causing "any embarrassment" amid the protests.
Fertitta, who co-owns the NBA's Houston Rockets and the Golden Nugget Hotels and Casinos, has invested $2 million of his own funds into renovating Villa Taverna, the official ambassador's residence in Rome. His appointment as ambassador is part of a broader trend under the Trump administration, which placed a higher number of political appointees in ambassadorial roles, often selecting wealthy and well-connected individuals. Fertitta's significant personal fortune makes him one of the wealthiest individuals to have served as a U.S. ambassador.
Background and Perspective
Fertitta's business ventures began with his father's restaurant and grew into Landry's Inc., a vast hospitality and gaming company. His association with Donald Trump dates back to 1999 when he established restaurants within the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino. Fertitta has stated his long-standing desire for the ambassador role was influenced by his Sicilian ancestry.
Other political appointees in ambassador roles include Charles Kushner in France and Warren Stephens in the United Kingdom. However, former U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, Barbara Bodine, expressed disapproval of Fertitta's lavish yacht excursions, calling the display "inappropriate."
Despite the controversy, Fertitta maintains that his diplomatic methods are effective. He told CNN that the tour is intended to foster American-Italian relations and build connections within the towns he visits, not to show off. The tour has garnered significant attention, from protests in Venice to Fertitta receiving genealogical documents in his ancestral home of Cefalù, Sicily.